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NASB | 3 John 1:11 ¶ Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 3 John 1:11 ¶ Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. [1 John 3:6] |
Subject: Did God create evil? |
Bible Note: Among those who hold that fate rules their future are many who believe in God. They feel that God must foreknow all future events. And, based on that assumption, they reason that all future events are predetermined, for what God foreknows cannot fail to take place. Some extend this idea to belief in divine predestination, which means that God has foreordained certain ones of the human race for salvation and the rest for eternal punishment. Has God actually foreknown all things that have taken place throughout history? Does he now definitely know everything that his creatures will do in days to come? Does such a fate rule your future? The Bible makes it plain that many things that happen to people are bona fide accidents, for “time and chance happen to them all.” (Eccl. 9:11) Then, too, God extends to his intelligent creatures the privilege and responsibility of free choice. Ancient Israel was admonished to “choose life” by listening to the LORD God. The prophet Zephaniah urged meek ones to “seek the LORD.” (Deut. 30:19, 20; Zeph. 2:3) God’s Word, at Revelation 22:17, extends the invitation to “anyone that wishes” to take advantage of God’s provisions for salvation. The inspired Scriptures portray God as a merciful, righteous, impartial and loving God. (Deut. 4:31; 32:4; Acts 10:34; 1 John 4:8) Would such a one encourage people to choose what is right if he already knew that fate prevented many from doing that? |